Decision to award Principal Supply Status for permanent coronary drug-eluting stents to Medtronic

Hospital devices Decision

What we’re doing

We are pleased to announce the approval of a decision to award Principal Supply Status to Medtronic New Zealand Limited (“Medtronic”) for the supply of permanent coronary drug-eluting stents (“DES”) to Health NZ hospitals, with a 35% Alternative Brand Allowance (“ABA”). The Principal Supply Status will apply from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029.

In summary this will result in:

  • Medtronic’s brand of DES, Resolute Onyx, being listed in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule and available for Health NZ hospitals at reduced prices from 1 June 2026;
  • a transition period from 1 June 2026 to 30 September 2026;
  • Resolute Onyx having Principal Supply Status from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029; and
  • estimated annual savings of $1.2m across all Health NZ hospitals.

What would the effect be?

Principal Supply Status

For the term of the Principal Supply Status, Health NZ hospitals:

  • must purchase a minimum of 65% of DES from Medtronic, and
  • can choose to purchase a maximum of 35% of DES from suppliers other than Medtronic.

35% Alternative Brand Allowance

This means that 35% of the DES purchased in Health NZ hospitals could be a brand that is not Resolute Onyx supplied by Medtronic.

Principal Supply Status Exemptions

DES purchased by Health NZ hospitals for the purpose of registered clinical trials will not be counted as Brand Allowance Medical Devices

Timeline

List date

The date at which the Resolute Onyx DES will be available for purchase by Health NZ hospitals at the new Principal Supply Status price.

1 June 2026

Transition period

A four-month period that will allow Health NZ hospitals time to undertake any training and education that may be required and make the necessary changes to consignment stock of DES, before the Principal Supply Status provisions are effective and compliance with the Alternative Brand Allowance is required.

1 June 2026 to 30 September 2026

Principal Supply Status start date

The date at which Health NZ hospitals must only purchase the Principal Supply Status of DES, with 35% allowance for alternative brands.

1 October 2026

Principal Supply Status end date

The date at which Principal Supply Status with Medtronic will end. The term of the Principal Supply Status agreement is three years.

30 September 2029

Any changes to the original proposal?

This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 26 March 2026.

There have been no changes as a result of consultation feedback.

Who we think will be most interested

  • Catherisation laboratory clinical personnel including but not limited to:
    • Interventional Cardiologists
    • Nurses
    • Radiography personnel
    • Technicians
  • Procurement personnel
  • Service/Funding Managers
  • Suppliers

Detail about this decision

Since 2017 Pharmac has sought advice from the Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group (“ICAG”) to assist with the development of market share Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) and attain expert advice on the clinical suitability of different brands of DES.

In August 2025 Pharmac released a RFP for DES under the Principal Supply Status model.

Pharmac had a similar market share arrangement that ended 28 February 2026. This process was undertaken to obtain quality product at competitive pricing.

This decision results in awarding Resolute Onyx, covering 73 product lines, Principal Supply Status.

If new generations of Medtronic’s DES are launched during the Principal Supply Status period, national pricing would be negotiated by Pharmac and Health NZ hospitals would be able to purchase the new DES as part of the Principal Supply Status.

Medtronic support

Medtronic will provide Health NZ personnel with training, education and clinical case support throughout the period of Principal Supply Status. Medtronic will also support the initial transition by working with each Health NZ hospital to establish the requirements of the hospital including but not limited to:

  • consignment stock levels
  • transition timeframes
  • in-service requirements, and
  • product conversation support.

Pharmac support

Pharmac will work with Health NZ and Medtronic to ensure any issues or concerns are promptly identified and addressed. This includes liasing with Health NZ to discuss their support needs and assist with implementation arrangements as needed.

Monitoring compliance with Alternative Brand Allowance

Throughout the Principal Supply Status period the 35% Alternative Brand Allowance will apply. Pharmac will monitor compliance and if the use of Alternative Brand Medical Devices is within the 35% Alternative Brand Allowance at a national level, the contract requirement will be met. If Health NZ hospitals exceed the 35% Alternative Brand Allowance Medtronic will be entitled to seek compensation from Health NZ.

Our response to what you told us

We’re really grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation.

All consultation responses received by the closing date were considered in their entirety in making this decision. A summary of the main themes raised during the consultation and our responses to the feedback received are set out below.

Theme

Comment

Clarification on estimated savings

The estimated savings were calculated using Medtronic’s pricing for 65% of cases, and our estimate of the costs for the remaining 35% based on the market and information we have from other suppliers.

Resolute Onyx size range

ICAG advised Pharmac that Resolute Onyx is clinically suitable for at least 65% of cases. Hospitals can use an alternatively sized stent under the 35% ABA.

Medtronic support

Medtronic have NZ based personnel who will conduct monthly stock counts and provide Health NZ with training, education and support.

Medtronic’s Onyx Frontier DES

Medtronic confirmed Frontier Resolute is not currently available in the NZ market and cannot advise on when it will be introduced. Pharmac will negotiate supply terms when the product becomes available to Health NZ.

Resolute Onyx will remain available throughout the full term.

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.